Direct negotiations between the Russian army and Jaysh al-Islam are ongoing for the future of Damascus.
Meanwhile, talks between the Russian and Turkish armies are also intensive to determine the future of Tal Rifaat in the countryside of Aleppo. This was mentioned in previous indirect negotiations to determine the future of the southern sector of Ghouta at a time forces of Turkish military Operation Olive Branch advanced from the center of Afrin, north of Aleppo, showing that Syrian cities were being divided among different foreign parties.
As negotiations are always taking place on the impact of the Syrian government strengthening its forces around Douma city, news are circulating on Russia's intention to lead the process.
Jaysh al-Islam, for its part, has started direct negotiations with the Russian army to determine the fate of the opposition east of the capital, following the displacement of thousands of fighters from Faylaq al-Rahman and Ahrar al-Sham from east Damascus to the north and the loss of the southern sector.
According to the information, there were many complications facing these negotiations as Egyptian officers sought last summer to reach a settlement in order to complete their role in concluding an agreement to “reduce the escalation.”
Jaysh al-Islam wants to stay in Douma along with its arms and civil institutions with cease-fire in Damascus in exchange for allowing a symbolic presence of state institutions to turn opposition fighters into police forces, getting rid of heavy weapons and finding a formula to deal with the compulsory service of young people in Douma with “Russian protection”, public amnesty and freedom of movement to and from the region.
However, the Russian side, which was showing some flexibility, has become leaner towards Damascus’s position, and it gave Jaysh al-Islam, which comprised about eight thousand fighters, two choices; either to attack militarily or catch up with other regions and agree to evacuate.
